Know Everything About Metrodome Stadium: Capacity, History & Facts

The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (often referred to as the Metrodome) was a domed sports stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It opened in 1982 as a replacement for Metropolitan Stadium, which housed the National Football League’s (NFL) Minnesota Vikings and the Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Minnesota Twins, as well as Memorial Stadium, which housed the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team.

The Metrodome was the home of the Vikings from 1982 to 2013, the Twins from 1982 to 2009, the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Minnesota Timberwolves in their inaugural season in 1989-90, the Golden Gophers football team from 1982 to 2008, and the Golden Gophers baseball team from 1985 to 2010 before becoming their full-time home in 2012.

In 1984, it was also the home of the North American Soccer League’s Minnesota Strikers. For the 2014 and 2015 NFL seasons, the Vikings played at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium, ahead of the scheduled construction of U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016.

By the early 1970s, the Minnesota Vikings were dissatisfied with Metropolitan Stadium’s comparatively limited football capacity. Before the AFL-NFL merger, the NFL ruled that stadiums with capacities less than 50,000 were insufficient for their purposes. For football, the Met could never hold more than 49,700 people and could not be enlarged. Memorial Stadium at the University of Minnesota was the largest stadium in the area. The Vikings, on the other hand, refused to be tenants in a college football stadium, even on a temporary basis, and requested a new facility.

Supporters of a dome also claimed that a climate-controlled stadium would help the Minnesota Twins avoid severe Minnesota weather later in the season. . This was against the backdrop of the severe winter cold in the Twin Cities, which provided the Vikings with a huge home-field advantage late in the season and in the playoffs. However, because to poor maintenance, the Met would have required to be replaced in any case. By the 1970s, broken railings and chairs were visible in the top deck; by the last season, they had become a major safety issue.

The Metrodome itself cost $68 million to build, which was much less than budget, for a total cost of roughly $124 million when infrastructure and other project expenditures were included in. It was a rather utilitarian structure, albeit not as bare as Metropolitan Stadium. According to one stadium administrator, the Metrodome was built to “get fans in, let ’em see a game, and let ’em go.”

Facts Information
Location Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Opening Date April 3, 1982
Primary Tenant Minnesota Vikings
Roof Type Retractable
Seating Capacity Approximately 64,121 for football games
Notable Features Fully enclosed stadium, first to feature a fully retractable roof
Notable Events Super Bowl XXVI (1992), NCAA Final Four, various concerts
Architectural Design Designed by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Unique Design Features Teflon-coated fiberglass roof, air-supported structure
Field Surface Artificial turf (AstroTurf)
Historic Moments Hosted numerous NFL playoff games and memorable Vikings victories
Transportation Options Accessible via light rail, buses, and nearby parking facilities
Accessibility Features Facilities available for individuals with disabilities
Nearby Attractions Downtown Minneapolis, museums, shopping, dining, and more
Accommodations Various hotels and accommodations nearby

Stadium Capacity

Seating capacity was critical in accommodating supporters and generating an electric environment at the Metrodome (Minnesota Vikings) Stadium. For football events, the stadium had an excellent seating capacity of roughly 64,121, drawing thousands of ardent supporters who gathered to cheer for their favorite team. This resulted in a lively and dynamic atmosphere that enhanced the game-day experience.

The seating layout of the stadium was meant to give excellent views of the action on the field, ensuring that every fan felt completely engaged in the game. Fans could select seating sections that fit their tastes and budget from the lower, club, higher, and suite levels, which were offered.

Metrodome Stadium Seating Plan

A well-thought-out seating layout that caters to a wide range of demands and tastes. Every spectator will enjoy optimal viewing angles, comfort, and convenience. The lower level provides close access to the field and activity. The club level has premium seats and special facilities. The top level offers a 360-degree view of the stadium. Suites provide exclusive, opulent experiences with first-rate facilities. Accessible sitting places have been designated for those with impairments. There is companion seating as well as wheelchair-accessible spaces. Amenities are designed to accommodate the requirements of people with impairments. Improved accessibility ensures that all guests have a positive experience.

Metrodome Bag Policy at Stadium

Inside the stadium, fans are only permitted to carry transparent bags. Clear bags facilitate rapid examination and speed up the security screening procedure. Plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12′′ x 6′′ x 12′′ in dimension are acceptable transparent bags. Small clutch purses or wallets the size of a hand are also permitted. Backpacks, fanny packs, and big handbags are typically prohibited.

What were the causes behind the Metrodome Stadium’s demise?

The Metrodome Stadium was destroyed to make way for a new stadium with more contemporary amenities and facilities.

What was the last event hosted at Metrodome Stadium before it was demolished?

On September 29, 2013, the Metrodome Stadium hosted a baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers.

What is now on the location where the Metrodome Stadium previously stood?

The Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium currently sits where the Metrodome Stadium formerly stood.

What was one of the Metrodome Stadium’s major events?

Super Bowl XXVI in 1992 was one of the significant events staged in the Metrodome Stadium.

 

 

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